A stabbing at Mike’s Side Pocket has left part of Haywood Road closed down as police investigate. The Asheville Police Department claims it’s too early to release details, but that “there’s no current danger to the public.” While an observer on the scene says at least one person is dead, and a source says that another died in the emergency room, these are not yet confirmed. (Photo by Bill Rhodes)
In the aftermath of a vehicle collision yesterday, March 27, that left four injured and led to the arrest of a suspected drug dealer in the Montford neighborhood, several witnesses assert that police chased the suspect as he sped away, creating a dangerous situation. The APD states that officers chose not to pursue.
The Asheville Police Department’s rules on vehicle pursuits.
More than two months ago, Xpress requested a copy of the audit of the Asheville Police Department’s evidence room from District Attorney Ron Moore. We have received no reply. According to attorneys from the North Carolina Press Association, the audit should be public record, and Moore’s behavior violates the state’s open records law.
Last June, local musician Juan Holladay was arrested by police in an incident that sparked allegations of excessive force. Today, Holladay had his day in court, and was found guilty of resisting/obstructing an arrest, but not guilty of creating a public disturbance.
What happened when a new protest movement clashed with an Asheville City Council with former activists in its ranks. Photo by Bill Rhodes
Will the Asheville Police Department lead by example of the social order they've been tasked to uphold and not ride their bikes on sidewalks? As they pass, I'm forced to walk in the street, unprotected and unrepresented. — Nathanael Roney Asheville The writer is the senior graphic designer at Mountain Xpress
In the middle of the packed Council chambers, William Anderson, the Asheville Police Department’s new chief, was officially sworn in. Anderson promised to make responsiveness to the community among his top priorities.
Enforcing a new city ordinance, the Asheville Police Department cleared tents from the Occupy Asheville campsite — one of the last public Occupy encampments in the country — in front of City Hall late yesterday evening. Three protesters, claiming the rules infringe their rights, were arrested for ordinance violations. Photo by Bill Rhodes.
With a noon eviction deadline, Occupy Asheville campers make preparations for what comes next.
(Photos by Bill Rhodes)
The audit of the Asheville Police Department evidence room was completed Jan. 9, but don’t expect the details to go public soon. While Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore has told some media that the audit showed that around 200 drug parcels might be missing, the Buncombe County District Attorney’s keeping the results secret, even from city government.
The city of Asheville has chosen William Anderson to head the Asheville Police Department. Anderson, currently the police chief of Greenville, will begin the job March 1.
The Asheville Police Department has released surveillance photos of two individuals suspected of breaking into a car downtown.
A group of seventeen, primarily made up of law enforcement officials and city of Asheville staff, is in the process of evaluating nine finalists for the Asheville Police Department’s next chief. Here’s who they are.
Xpress has obtained 270 emails from city of Asheville staff concerning Occupy Asheville. The emails reveal law enforcement considering their approach to (and surveillance of) the protests as well as city staff and Occupy representatives debating freedom of assembly, among other things. These emails are available to the public in a searchable database.
photo by Bill Rhodes
Earlier this month, the Asheville Police Department arrested Helen Roberts for passing out fliers as part of Occupy Asheville, claiming it violated a city ordinance. The charges against Roberts have since been dropped, and City Attorney Bob Oast tells Xpress that the ordinance she was arrested under only deals with commercial activity — not handing out political fliers in public spaces.
The Asheville Police Department has released images of the light-colored Ford pick-up that struck and killed Mell Ailes, 57, yesterday, Nov. 23 on Broadway Street. The APD is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the perpetrator.
Under a city ordinance banning advertisement “by the distribution of samples or printed matter within the city,” the Asheville Police Department arrested Helen Roberts,an Occupy Asheville participant for distributing fliers at a Nov. 2 rally. Roberts says the fliers she distributed were pie charts endorsing the protest’s positions, and that she was not soliciting donations.
The city of Asheville has placed Lynn Fraser, a forensic technician employed by the Asheville Police Department, and Melissa Williams, the city’s social media specialist, on “non disciplinary paid investigative suspension.” On Facebook, Fraser called Occupy Asheville protesters emerged yesterday, and Williams added a “LMAO” (“laughing my ass off”) comment.
Asheville Police Department Interim Chief Wade Wood has released a statement saying that his department takes Facebook comments made by Lynn Fraser, a forensic technician employed by the APD, “very seriously.” Fraser called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” and said they needed “a hug … around the neck… with a rope.” Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, who commented on Fraser’s status, has offered her apologies.
In a Facebook post, Lynn Fraser a forensic technician with the Asheville Police Department, called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” after they complained about police officers recording a march yesterday. In comments on the post, Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, responds with “LMAO” or “Laughing My Ass Off.” In previous post, Fraser also designated Occupiers as a group that “just need a hug … around the neck… with a rope.”
